Dictation mask with cartridge type silencer



Oct. 23, 1951 H, WEBB DICTATION MASK WITH CARTRIDGE TYPE SILENCER FiledSept. 1, 1948 Patented Oct. 23, 1951 DICTATION MASK WITH CARTRIDGE TYPESILENCER Horace L. Webb, Vienna, Va.

Application September 1, 1948, Serial No. 47,199

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a device or mask for use in court reporting,assemblies or other gatherings to receive directly the uttered or othersound in such manner as to be non-disturbing to participants, spectatorsor other persons, being generally like, following the principles of, andan improvement over the device disclosed for instance in my co-pendrngapplication, Ser. No. 667,827, filed May 7, 1946, now Patent No.2,526,177, granted October 10, 1950.

A prime object is to provide a construction better enabling theemployment of ambient sound and moisture-absorbing means in the form ofa readily renewable cartridge.

A second object is to provide such a cartridge in shape-retaining form.

A third object is to provide a novel casing which especially co-actswith the sound and moisture-absorbing cartridge so that maximum spacewithin the body will be filled thereby and centering of the cartridgeaided.

The fourth object is to provide a novel construction which avoidsinterference of the sound and moisture-absorbing material with theswitch or operation thereof.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one operative embodiment:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view. of the improved dictating mask as held inoperative position by a hand suggested in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mask in open condition with a soundand moisture absorbing cartridge about to be inserted; and

Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional view taken longitudinally throughthe mask.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts, 9 designates a casing or body of anysuitable length, shape and material, such as modern plastic, or metallike aluminum or magnesium, in view of its light weight or otherwise andin any approved size and for example consisting of sections l and II.The former is hollow and generally cylindrical for the passage of soundtherethrough, and the latter is a normally closed end therefor. Closuresection II is displaceable, being either detachable or removable, or, asshown, hinged at [2 to coacting lugs 13 and I4 fastened respectively tosection I0 and an annular marginal rim l of closure section II. One ormore spring-metal or plastic clips 16 on section l0 have latchingengagement with said rim I5 to normally prevent opening of the casing.At the open dictation end of the section l0, it is flared somewhat atIlla and wedged therein is a flexible rubber diaphragm-like face pieceor sound receiver [1 similar or equivalent to that disclosed at 14 etc.in my aforesaid application Ser. No. 667,827, Rivets H) or a bondingcement or both may be used to secure receiver I! within said flare I0and aid in sealing the junction airtight. Sound receiver l1 contacts andfits the face of a dictator and surrounds and encloses the mouth or noseand carries a microphone 20 at any suitable location. As in said pendingapplication the facepiece or sound receiver ll carries a relatively thinflange l'l (like 16 in said pending application) extending around andinwardly from the periphery contacting and fitting the face of adiotator surrounding and enclosing the mouth and nose and thecheek-bones to absorb or tend to absorb sounds vibrating through suchbones.

Conductors l9 operatively connect said microphone to a conventionaldictating machine, and one of which conductors is preferably grounded tosuch machine. A conventional switch 22, through the conductors 23, oneof which may be grounded, controls the operation of the said dictatingmachine, and such conductors 2| and 23 are suitably covered or protectedand pass through a guiding and wear-reducing grommet 24 in the Wall ofsection [0. Said receiver I1 above the microphone 20 has a suitablenumber of breather openings 24 therethrough.

Section I0 is filled with an ambient sound and moisture absorbing mass,for instance, of cellulosic material, felt, or any suitable equivalentM, preferably in the form of a cartridge which is shape-retaining andthus capable of more expeditious handling. This cartridge M is shown tobest advantage in Fig. 2, wherein closure II is open with respect to thesection I0 and the cartridge M is about to be inserted into the sectionI0 through the available end thereof. In order to render mass Mshape-retaining, it is preferably dipped into a starch solution, aplastic solution or any equivalent, and then dried. This readilyremovable and replaceable cartridge combehind the sound receiver IT.

M, which interfits with the receiver 11.

M in the aid of sanitation.

The aforesaid rim l5 abuts the rear end of the cartridge M and willassist in moving the latter into position if not accurately applied.Thisv feature is augmented by the rabbetting at 21 of a marginal edge ofthe rim to enable it to slightly telescope into the section I 0.

Extending integrally from rim I5 is a hollow knob-like projection 28which carries a bracket 29 therein directly mounting switch 22. Suchswitch is preferably of the type having a depressible actuator 30including a plastic or other fingerpiece 3|, which is guided in andnormally projects above an opening 32 in the upper wall of the knob 28.This fingerpiece is wedge-shaped am n in cross-section andnormally-closes opening 3-2, but as it is narrowest at its top, thedepression will partly uncover opening 32 to function as-abreatheropening.

It will be noted that Tim l5 forms an abut-;

by the knob 23, as suggested by the dotted lines in. Fig. 1., and.talked into while. the. sound. re.- ceiv'er i1; is held against theface, surrounding the; chin, mouth and nose, sound being. trans.- mined,throu h the. microphone to the. talkin machine, ambient sound; howeverbeing. muliied and absorbed within the casing and prevented from passingto the exterior by thecartridge M. The finger-piece 31 is readilymanipulated by one finger of the hand which grasps the knob 28, and whendepressed partly uncovers-opening 32 so. that the latter functions as-abreather opening. 7

Whenever desired, the. closure l.lmay be moved. on its hinge i2 to. and.from. open..p0si.- tion, disengaging and engaging. the latch, it, .tofacilitate replacement of-the cartridge M, which is advisable from. timeto.- time because of moisture absorption.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritandscope of; the. invention.

I claim:

1. A dictating device comprising a. twoeended body having one end opento receive sound, a displaceableclosure at the other.endoi-thebody, anelectric microphone and-a control. switch in said; body, electriccurrent conducting. means connected to, said, microphone through. saidswitch, a sound-absorb'nig .filler in the. bodyapplicable and removablewhen the closure-isdisplaced, a. flexible diaphragm-like. receiveroutwardly enlarged with. respect to. the. other end of said body,closing. the latter end; saidomicrophonejbeing carried by said receiver,afiexible face-fitting. flange on the interior or" said: receiver, saidcontrol switch being mounted by said closure and said. closure having'aportion interposed between said: filler and said switcha preventinterference .of the fillerwith-operajtion of the switch.

2. A dictating device comprising a two-ended body having one end open toreceive sound; a displaceable closure at the other end-of-thebody, acontrol switch carried by said closure andop'er able from the exteriorthereonan electricmirophone in said body, electric conducting meansconnected to said microphone through said switch, a sound-absorbentcartridge in the body of shape-retaining characteristic, said cartridgebeing applicable and removable whenthe closure is displaced, and saidclosure means abutting said cartridge and maintainingit'outofinterfering relation with said switch.

3. A dictating device comprising atwo-ended body having one end-open toreceive sound, a displaceable closure at the other end of th ebo dy, anelectric microphone and a control switch in said body, electric currentconducting naeans connected to said microphone through; said switch, asound absorbing cartridge in the body,

a sound receiver in the open end ofsaid body,

said receiver and-closure having openings to cartridge having adepression interfitte d =with 4 said sound. receiver, said; switch beingcarried by said closure and said closure having a portion abutting saidcartridge and maintaining said cartridge out of interfering engagementwith 4 A dictating device comprising a two-ended body'having one endopen to receive sound, a flexible soundreceiver closing the open end ofsaidbodyand outwardly enlarged with respect thereto, a closure at theother end of the body, an electric microphone carried by said soundreceiver, a control switcnelectri curlifinfz conducting. meansconnected; to Sai Z iiQK- DhQIi? through said. switch, asound-absorbing. filler in the body. applicableand removable. throu h thsaid open end whenthe closure is displaced,

said closure having. a. hand-grasping portion carrying said switch;v andforming an abutment for said filler to; space the latterxout of. inh

fering. relation with said switch.

5. A dictating. device. comprising a two: ended body having one endopen. to receive. sound, a flexible sound receiver closing the openend;.of said body and. outwardly enlarged. with respect thereto, aclosure-.at the. other end of the body, anelectric microphone carried.by saidreceiver and a control switch in saidbody, electric currentconducting meansconnected to said microphone through said switch, asound-absorbing. filler. in the body interfittedwith said soundreceiver, said closure being in displaceable relation with respect tothe body and having a rim extending partly across the adjacent end. ofthe. :body, and a hollow knob-like outward extension .on .the closure,said switch being mounted .on. said .ex'- tension and maintainedouto-f-interferingrelation with the filler-by said 6. A dictating devicecomprising a double.- ended dictating body, an electric microphonewithin said body, a sound-absorbing fill-ingin the body, aclosuremeans-hinged to one endof the body, a rim on saidclosure "meansextending partly across one-endof the-device, an outwardly extendinghollow '7 knob-like extension on the closure having an opening to enablebreathing therethrough, a control switch within said: extension, saidrim preventing interference at said filler with said switch, said:switch having; a finger-piece sl-idable in saidopening, and said bodyhaving an opening, conductor means passing through said latter openingto said-'micro phone and switch. HORACE-L. WEBBi} REFERENCES CITED Theol owin reierence re -0f. 1e .0r in the file of. this pa n IT D STATEfiPATENT ouman lnh njl; oat. 18, 1949

